The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-06-30
THE SHOOTING TOURNAMENT.

Number OF Interesting Matches H. Which
Marksmen Make Some Good Scores.
While the attendance at the tournament of
the Indianapolis Sportsmen's Association, yes
terday, small, the shooting was better and
the matches a whole. were more interesting
than the day before. The marksmen entered
into every contest with zest that resulted in
some very good scores. Five or six led as ties
in the number of birds shot in each match, but
they were pushed so closely by the rest that the
shooting may be said to have been of equal ex-
cellence throughout
The days shooting began with match in
which eight entered, the birds being six single
and four pairs of Peoria blacks. McMurchy and
Mersham led the score with fourteen birds each
to their credit, McGinnis, Arson and Thursly
each shot eleven, Pearce and Carter each ten,
and Beck nine, out of possible fourteen. Nc
Murchy and Mersham divided first money, 81. 20;
Thursby got second. 81. 80 after the tie was shot
off, and Carter third So. go
There was a preference throughout the day
for Peoria black birds, and in the next match
nine singles were shot at, the entries being
eleven. McMurchy and Arson were the only
two to shoot the full nine. Mersham, Thursby
and Cotton came next with eight birds each
Pearce Beck, Jones and McGinnis each shot
seven, Carter six, and Gum five. McMurchy
and Arson divided first money, 81; Cotton took
second Sc. 60, on defeating the tie, and Beck
and Jones divided third money, 50. 40. Pearce
and McGinnis retiring after the first tie was SHOT
Off,
The first single bird match was for ten single,
in which seven entered McMurchy, Thursby
and Carter each shot the ten. Jones and Arson
each nine, Cotton and Mersham each eight AS
this was ten-dollar entry the purse was the
largest of the day, and out OF the three, first
got 500 % for division, Jones and Arson took
second, $15.75 and Cotton third, $1,000. In
settling the tie with Mersham for third money
Carriers shooting was remarkable To defeat
his opponent he had to kill twenty-eight birds
straight at thirty yards RISE Mersham killed
twenty-seveu.
After this the shooting was resumed OF Peoria
backbirds, nine SINGLE with ten entries. Jones
and Thursoy each killed nine. McMurchy eight,
Beck. Carter and McGinnis each seven. Arson,
Taggart and Kerr each SIX and Pearce three.
Jones and Thursby took first money for division,
McMurchy second, Sc. Is, and Carter third, 81 10,
the latter easily defeating his competitors in de-
Gliding the tie Another match of the same class
brought in sixteen entries. Out of the possible
nine Everhard and Carter were the only ones to
fill the score; McMurchy, Kerr, Miles, Jones and
Cotton each shot eight, Beck, Thursby, Howell
and Nicholson seven, Casper. Arson, McGinnis
and Carter took FIRST money money sic, 49, Cotton on
Jones and McMurchy second money. SO So. and
Beck. Nicholson and Howell third money, Sc 50.
A match That caused good deal of interest
and put the skill of the marksmen at its best was
'freeze-out" at live birds. Eleven entered,
Taggart retiring at the first, Casper went out at
his second and did Carter, while Arson was
retired on missing his fourth bird. while Nc
Murchy failed on his fifth: Cotton. Jones' Thurs
by and Kerr killed the five straight required.
No money was given in this match, the pur-
chase of birds consumed the entrance money
In the next match nine single Peoria black
birds were shot at, there being twelve entries.
Cotton, Mersham, Thursby and Beck shot the
full score. Jones' Everhard and Carter each got
eight. Nicholson seven, Kerr aud McMurchy
each six and Arson five. In shooting the tie for
frstm money Mersham retired, and Cotton.
Beck and Thursby divided the ,um $l2. so; Car
ter. Everhard and Jones took second. $3.50, and
McMurchy and Nicholson third, 81 So
The hardest test of the day in the shoot
ing at twenty Peoria black-birds. McMurchy
alone, of the eight entered flied the score. Beck
came next with nineteen birds. Mersham,
Thursby and Cotton third. with eighteen. Carter
fourth with seventeen and Jones and Everhard
each with fifteen. McMurchy got SIC for first
money. Beck So 60 for second and Cotton won
third, Sc 40, in shooting off the tie.
The rest of the afternoon was used in chance
matches in which the shooting averaged well
with that given in the scores.
To-day the regular matches will be five pair
Peoria black birds, ten English sparrows,
twenty five yards rise three pair of live pigeons
from plunge traps, twenty yards rise. and ten
single Peoria black birds. On Friday team
shooting will occur.